Of all the spring beauty trends to choose from, we’re most excited to try out these pretty plaits. One of the top reasons we love our curls is their versatility, and the same goes for braids! There’s the milkmaid, the fishtail, side-braids, headband braids, and more to choose from, and a plethora of YouTube tutorials to learn how to do them ourselves.
18 Braids to Try Right Now
Rita Ora
We all want to steal this cool Brit’s fresh spring style! Many YouTube tutorials show girls curling their hair with a curling iron before creating a topknot or a thick braid in order to create volume.Luckily for us curlies we can skip that step!
Analeigh Tipton
The key to this braid is its tousled, messy look. Perfection is not the objective with this braid! Pull a few curly tendrils out to frame your face and loosen up your braid to recreate this look.
Jennifer Lawrence
If this Oscar winner is rocking it then you know this trend is going to be big. Milkmaid braids are a great style option for those difficult growth stages like growing out your bangs or awkward lengths.
Lea Michele
Don’t be fooled, there’s more to braids than your basic 3-strand plait! Lea Michelle’s knotted side braid is more interesting than your standard braid, so get acquainted with the different variations.
Allison Williams
Neatly tucking in the tail of a side-braid makes for a unique finishing touch, and is a good protective style for your ends. As the seasons change and we begin to spend more time outdoors, protective styles will become more important for your hair health.
Diane Kruger
We’re dying over this fashionista’s super chic Princess Leia moment. Get creative with your braids!
This British beauty’s adorable headband braid is jaunty, youthful, and so so wee. It’s a simple look that can take your curls to the next level.
Scarlett Johansson
If you’ve been dying to try Rihanna’s fierce and edgy hair but don’t want to take the pludge and shave half of your head (which is understandable”> then this is the perfect solution for you!
Part your hair in a deep side part and braid the other half to create the illusion of the shaved head trend. Fake it til you make it!
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift wore this style to the Grammy Awards, proving that braids can be formal too. If you’re looking for a way to dress up your locks for a wedding, prom or special occasion then this a fun alternative to the classic updo.
Amanda Seyfried
If you are guilty of rocking a top knot every single day, then this braid is for you. Braid the hair before bunning it to update your knot for spring!
Nina Dobrev
If you haven’t tried the waterfall braid yet, give it a go. We believe it would be drop dead gorgeous with curls cascading down.
Coco Rocha
This supermodel knows a thing or two about beauty trends. For that effortless “model off duty” look Coco went with a simple side braid and fresh faced makeup.
Katy Perry
The pop star’s blended braid is a perfect look for music festival and the beach this spring and summer.
Julianne Hough
Instead of wrapping one headband braid around, create duo side braids and pin them at the nape of the neck like Julianne did here.
Fatima Ptacek
If you don’t recognize this 12-year actress then you’d probably recognize her voice as the Dora! Her hairstyle is another alternative for topknot addicts. Take a small section of hair and create a 3-strand braid, then wrap this around your bun and fasten with bobby pins.
Fatima’s look is polished for a red carpet event, but we’d love to see a looser rendition for an everyday look.
Jennifer Morrison
This braid will take your ponytail from boring to breathtaking. It might take a few practices to get this down, but we believe it is worth the effort.
Lana Del Rey
To recreate a piece-y side braid, pull strands out of the braid like Lana’s. This will create a laid back look with the illusion of more body.
Jennifer Hudson
This powerhouse vocalist combined both a knotted headband and side braid in one. If you like one or more of the braids in this article, don’t be afraid to use them in combination with each other!
